Gardening Tips
Your fortnightly gardening tips for indoors and outdoors |
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PATIO GARDENING
Areas of hard surface such as terraces and patios, as well as providing
space for sitting and dining outside, entertaining or simply relaxing, also make an ideal
environment for growing containerised or feature plants. Not only are these easily
maintained, but they can greatly contribute to the garden's overall appearance, especially
if the patio area is large or if it has been necessary to replace a lawn or other areas of
planting with an inert surfacing material such as paving or gravel for ease of
maintenance. Growing plants in containers has a number of advantages over ordinary garden
planting. Weeds do not present a problem nor is any heavy cultivation of the soil
required.
Growing Plants in Containers
Containers for plants can be found in all shapes and sizes, ranging from simple flower
pots, window boxes or hanging baskets to large tubs, half barrels and very ornate vases.
Whatever type of container you choose, however, it should be a suitable size for the plant
(or plants) to be grown in it. Plants look far more attractive when they are in containers
that are in proportion with their top-growth. The style of container and the material it
is made from are also important. Containers should always be in keeping with their
surroundings- stone urns, for example, are well suited to a period town patio but would
look out of place in a rural setting, where clay pots or wooden tubs would be more
appropriate. Containers made from non-porous materials such as glass-fibre and plastic
help to keep the soil moist for longer and so reduce the need to water quite so often;
indeed, some containers have built-in water reservoirs, which reduce the burden of
frequent watering still further.
In general, the larger the container the better, for not only does this allow more
impressive displays to be planted but it also enables the plants to be more easily
maintained and means that they will be less prone to drying out, which will, in turn, mean
that they are more likely to thrive.
| Embarrassing Stories |
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My mates and I were on the train and I was having a good old moan about my boss. I
was slagging off her awful dress-sense and her horrible husband. My mates were in
fits of laughter especially when I launched into my impression of her. I turned
around and glanced at the people in our carriage and locked eyes with my boss who was NOT
impressed at all. I had to grovel a lot at work the next day.
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THE ROYAL AIR FORCES
ASSOCIATION WING WEEKS COLLECTIONS
If any of your readers are former members of the RAF or have family
connections with it and would like to assist, full details are set out below. HOUSE
to HOUSE COLLECTIONS. Monday, 12th September-Saturday, 17th
September, contact Sir Colin Turner on 01263 837 229. MORRISONS: Friday, 16th September, contact Chris Beverly on 512 614.
STREET COLLECTIONS: Saturday, 17th September contact Sir
Colin Turner on 837 229. Please help us to beat our record 2004 collection of over
£9000.00.
Sir Colin Turner, President & PRO 837 229
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